She jumped. One simple instruction and she couldn't follow through. What a headache. I had a great mind not to do anything at all. But she would be killed by those things. They didn't care who she was or what she wanted. She was powerful but vulnerable. Two ingredients they looked out for in a meal.
I slipped from the bed and sauntered to the balcony.
Leaving the redhead to the ghost was the sensible thing to do. I wanted her gone but my promise to Angel prevented me from doing anything. Now, these things were willing to get the job done. I should be thrilled. I wasn't. The situation angered me. Why was I angry at them when the redhead was at fault? Because something about her changed. I wanted to know what.
For one, her scent was different. Kyleon loved her so much he annoyed me every day about how perfect she was. I knew every single detail about her. Yet, her scent was replaced with another. Cakes. The sweet aroma of a bakery. One sniff and I wanted to devour her. My mouth sprung water and the need to taste if she was just as sweet as her scent absorbed my sense of reasoning.
At a young age, baked delights became my favorites. I didn't care for food or beverages. Once I was given a cake, my world was okay. The first time Kyleon summoned me out of my dark pit, Mom had me eat a piece of cake. Ever since then, I was hooked. The craving hadn't left me even centuries later. I still loved cakes.
This was why I attempted to kiss the redhead, to get a taste of her. However, when she didn't fight me, I got puzzled. She wanted me to kiss her. I couldn't tell if it was because my appearance reminded her of Kyleon or because she wanted me. It was all too confusing, and I hated confusion. Simplicity was always the option I chose. Death or life. Love or hate. Nothing in-between. Nothing to provoke a headache.
Last but not least, the redhead was mine. I should decide when she died, not a couple of ghosts. When she died, it would be by my hands. That would be after we get to the spring and I got my wish. Nothing was going to stand in my way. Not the fucking angel, these ghosts, of that redhead.
I observed the street below the railing of the balcony. The ghost circled a redheaded princess and a woman. Wait, a kid was with them. This could be why the redhead jumped. The kid and her mother. How sweet of her to risk her life for people she did not even know. Pathetic but sweet, nonetheless. One would think a person who held the title of a villainess would be more immune to these things. This went to show how weak she was. She learned nothing from being possessed for centuries.
A sigh parted my lips.
They would have to wait. I wasn't going to be barbaric and jump from three stories up. No way. I would leave that move for heroes. I retreated from the balcony. It would be far better to take the stairs or the elevator. The redhead would have to hold off her enemies. She was the one who jumped in the middle of a feast. She has to have something up her sleeve to do such a thing. If not, too bad for her.
I grabbed my coat and traveled out the door. The elevator was shut down, so the staircase was used. This made me wonder if these things could use elevators. Or could it be a warning that we were supposed to stay in our rooms? Either way, it didn't matter to Ms. Princess. She jumped from the fucking balcony.
It annoyed me how her actions mirrored Kyleon. That bastard would have done the same thing and then demanded that these people fight for each other. Heck, the fucker would have stayed here to ensure everyone was safe. Even if the people despised him. He was a lost cause. Too pure and soft-hearted for his own good.
The staircase ended and I used the path through the garage. It was safer. If these ghosts could come inside, despite Angel's words or protection, it would be best not to use the entrance. There was a thing I noticed along the way, though. All the lights on the building were on. The hallways, the staircases, and even the garage. If the ghost couldn't travel into the buildings, why was it that the lights needed to be kept on?
Of course, the garage door was closed. It didn't stop me. I busted the chains and pushed the thing open, closing it down on my way out. None of the ghosts spotted me. They were too busy focusing on the preys in the middle of their ring.
The redhead was releasing too much energy. It was attracting the ghosts. The streets were more crowded than before. More of them were even coming. I couldn't see where the redhead and her friends were. Black heads were all that was visible. As tall as I was, it was no use.
I strolled up to the nearest bandit. "What's going on?"
Though the moons shone, his skin and clothes were the color of ash. Dark grey. No brighter color could be found on any of them. They all wore different attire but it was hard to tell the difference between everyone when they were shaded the same.
The thing didn't even turn around to see who asked the question, he just gave an answer. "We found a succulent soul. Whoever devours her will be stronger." His voice was hoarse and came across as more of a hiss than anything else.
Oh, so they devoured souls according to their energy. More energy meant more strength.
He wiped his forehead. "Is it just me or is this night hotter than usual? It's my first night out, so I'm not used to these raids."
It was just him. The night wasn't warm nor was it cold. My temperature settled between both. Therefore, it didn't matter how hot or cold the temperature was, I remained the same. If that changed, then something was wrong with me.
"I don't see a problem with the night." I scratched the back of my head. "About that stronger thing, why is it you guys need this strength?"
My question got the attention of the ghost. He stiffened and turned. I remained in the spot. To my surprise, this one didn't look vicious or ugly. The smooth structure of his face made him look young. A kid in his early twenties. His black-ash-looking hair swung on his shoulders.
His eyes widened and he backed away from me. Those swirling black eyes were what hypnotized the souls. Once they looked into them there was no escape. The bandits would use the hypothesis as an advantage and devour those innocent prey.
A slow smile danced on my lips. "It's rude to walk away when someone is talking to you. Didn't you learn that in school?"
My words didn't cause him to stop. If anything they seemed to frighten him more. A ghost being scared. I didn't get it. He was the ghost bandit. I was the one who was supposed to be trembling with fear. I guess this was what was expected of a kid.
"Stop," I growled under my breath.
He froze.
"Good, lad," I chirped. "Now that I have your undivided attention, let's talk. How old are you, kid?"
"Twen-twent…" He pulled in a shaky breath and started again. This time his voice held the same confidence as before. "Twenty-three."
Just as I suspected. He was in his twenties. Too young to be involved in this nonsense.
I glanced at the other bandits. "What's your name?"
"Leo," he asserted. Proud of his name.
My eyes landed on him. "What kind of name is that for a bandit? It sounds human-like."
The kid's confidence didn't falter at my bashing. He held his head high. "I was a leopard before my transition. I acquired the name Leo to remind myself of who I am even in this state. The others want me to change it but I won't. Not for you and not for them."
Admirable. Even in the face of death, he had a good resolve.
"Okay," I let out. "It didn't matter anyway. You might want to tell me why you all need to be stronger?"
"I have a different reason from the others," he explained. "But the majority of the others want it to be a mega ghost. They are the most powerful ghost bandits. They can go wherever they want, do whatever they want. They can even appear in the land of the living. Most of all, they can consume whatever they desire."
Mega Ghost. I didn't know those ghosts had a name. It didn't sound too bad either.
I eyed the boy. "Tell me, kid. Why do you want to be stronger?"
Fists formed at his sides. "To kill a mega ghost."
Hmm. How interesting. I liked that.
I handed my coat to him. "Fine by me. Let's go. I have a few people to save. You can take whatever soul that is left."
He hugged the cloth. "I don't get it. You're not going to kill me?"
I arched a brow. "What? Do you want me to?"
He stepped back. "No, of course, not. It's just that when we encounter your kind, we are never spared."
Ah, my kind.
I walked away. "Well, today is your lucky day. I have a change of heart."
There was a slight chance I would regret saving this kid's life but for now, it was best to go with the flow.